Electrical system.



fin/Ammi- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

AP`PLICAT|0N FILED APR-27| |915.

y Pmmed May 8, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET www@ R.`\/ARLEY. ELEcTRLcAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AvR-ZT, lm.

Patented May 8, 19W.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lsgc,

R. VARLEY.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man APR. 21. 1915.v

Patented May 8, 191?.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 INVENTOR R. VARLEY, l

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION msn APR. 21; 191s.

Mme@ May 8,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 INVENTOR Bronnen vanter, or nnernwoon, irnw-Jnnsnr.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented inlay e, 119117.,

Application tiled. April 27, 1915.v Serial No. 24,252.

To all "whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, Rieu-um VARLEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Englewood, in the county of Bergen and State of NewJersey, have invented new and useful improvements in Electrical Systems,of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention is an electrical system wherein a high tension flow ordischarge of current is effected at a current using` instrumentality,such as a. spark gap or the spark plug of a cylinder of an internalcombustion engine.

As such a system l aim for high eliiciency in spark discharge orenergizing of the current using instrument, simplicity of constructionand arrangement and lexibilityiin control.

ln Letters Patent 1,081,413, granted to me on December 16th, 1913, ldisclose an electrical system employing a transformer wherein themagnetic flux may be built up to a supernormal-state of intensity forprolonged energizing thereby of a current using instrumentality. ln saidLetters APatent l show means for controlling the flux and comprisingessentially a circuit adapted to be opened and closed at desiredintervals to elfect periodical discharges of current at the instrument,and issued on applications divided from the disclosure of thespecification of the said Letters Patent are Letters Patent No.1,103,385, granted to me, July 14th, 1914, and No. 1,112,177, granted tome September 29th 19111, and wherein are disclosed means, comprising aplurality of cir cuits, one or more of which are used in building up andin controlling the state of flux in the transformer.

ln the latter two 1Letters Patent said circuits are shown as comprisingwindings onv a plurality of legs of the transformer core.`

These windings may both be energized from a source of alternatingcurrent or from a source of -continuous current. `When connected withthe source -of alternating cur rent, preferably the circuit of only oneof .the windings is interrupted to obtain current 'ment in ignitionsystems.

V ing winding for the transformer for energizing the current usinginstrumentality from a source of continuous current, such y as abattery.

l also herein disclose other novel features of construction, all ofwhich will be liereinafter more fully set forth in the followingdescription in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings andwhich is addressed to those skilled in the art. l

1n the drawings l have shown my invention as applied to an ignitionsystem whereby the gaseous charges in the cylinders of an internalcombustion engine,` may be exploded. However, my invention `cis notlimited in use but, on account of *the advantages obtained thereby, itfinds desired embodilt also will be apparent that many changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement shown, without departing frommy inventiona Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an ignition systemembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified formof interrupter mechanism; Fig'. 3 is a diagramma-tic view showing anarrangement wherein a' plurality of transformers are employed toenergize a plurality of spark plugs or current using instruments; Fig.le is a similar view, showinga manner of utilizing the magnetic flux ofthe transformer core, to operate the current responsive integruptermechanism; and Fig. 5 is a similar view showing'a modified manner ofmounting the interrupter mechanism and of disposing the windings on thelegs of the transformers.

ln'lig. 1, the numeral 2 indicates the core l of a transformer 3 thatcorresponds generally with that disclosed in my several above mentionedLetters Patent in that it is preof which a magnetic flux is caused to bebuilt up in the cere to a supernormal state for-energizing of asecondary'winding 6, which is grounded and leads to the rotatable arm 7of distributer apparatus 8 the seg` ments 9 of which connect with thespark plugs of the cylinders of the engine '(not shown)` the usualmanner. Switch mechanism 10 is employed to establish -be-v tween thewinding 4l andfan alternating current generator 11 and @between winding5 liti v to connect through switch contacts 1'6 and grounding thecircuit, as. at'25 in common 17 and 18 of switch 10 with 'winding 19 ofthe interrupter mechanism 14 which 1n turn through switch contacts 20,21, and 22 may be brought into circuit with transformer winding 4 whentherotatable arni 23 of the roller timer 13 passes to a timer segment24,

with ground 15; the switch blades 17 and 21 being movable into bridgingcontact with the respective associated contacts 16 and 18 and 20 and 22,when arm 26 of the switch 10 is shifted to magneto position marked'.

M on the index plate 27 of the switch mounting. When the switch varm isshifted to this magneto position, switch contact 28 bridges contacts 29and 30, thereby causing the winding v5 of the transformer to vbenormally short circuited through aiXed contact 31 and contact 32vcarried by an armaturel blade 33 arranged in attractive juxtaposition tothe` electro-magnet core 34 of said interrupter mechanism.

The roller timer mechanism 13 is geared to be driven in synchronism withthe engine,

as in the usual manner, and withthe switch f mechanism 10 adjusted formagneto connections in the manner above described, it will be apparentthat, with driving by the engine of the generator 11 to produce asuitable alternating current, travel 'of the timer arm 23 intoengagement with the segment 24 will close the circuit of the transformerWindingk 4, settin up a uX in the core thereof. With the circuit of thewinding 5 closed by the interrupter mechanism 14, said winding acts as achoke upon thev .travei of the magneticu lines of force set up inthetransformer core, causing a reprelsvsion thereof from that particularportion of the core in such manner that, with sutlicient sourcestrength, the lines of force tend to.` take a leakage path intermediatethe 'sides-l or legs of the transformer. As the current wave approachesor reaches its maximum point or period of lflow the core of theelectrqmagnet 14 will be sufficiently energized,

by reason of the magnet winding 19I in the the. armature 33 and separatecontact 32 from contact l31, and thus suddenly opening the circuit ofthe-winding 5," the circuit of this winding 5 causes the repressed fluxto assume the normal.A magnetic path of the core, causing in the legcarrying Opening of v l the secondary winding 6 a magnetic surge.

of great intensity which immediatelyi builds up in the secondary winding6 a voltage capable of instantly breaking down or bridging the gap of aspark plug connected 1n circuit through the distributer arm 7 and asegment 9. During the time the roller timer arm 23 is in engagement witha segment 24, the Winding 4 of the transformer remains in active circuitwith the generator so that during and after the first disruptivemovement olf' the fiux in the core, the tendency is to maintenance of anactive state of iux for prolonged energizing of the current usinginstrumentality, all as clearly set forth in my above mentioned LettersPatent By employing the roller timer 13 or' other suitable contactmechanism for intermittently establishing the above mentioned cir-` cuitclosure, I provide means for 'bringing the `transformer Winding 5 intocircuit wit the source of continuous current or battery 12, when theswitch arm 26 is shifted in an opposite directionk or to batteryposition marked B on the indicator plate 27.

Shifting of the switch arm to battery position causes the switch blade21 to connect .contact 20 with contact 35 and to cause contact 17 tobridge contacts 18 and 30. As a result the interrupter windingv 19 isconnected in circuit with the contacts 31 and 32 so that the armatureblade 33 vibratorily responds to cause a pulsative flow of current fromthe lbattery through the transformen winding 5 when the roller timerarm23 passes to a segment 24 and completes said battery circuit throughgrounds 25 and 12av Energizing of the windlng 5, of course, in-

duces a high potential current -in the sec ondary winding 6, as is vwellunderstood,`

when the'circuit of winding 4 is open, for

energizing of the spark plug connected in circuit by the synchronouslydriven distribute'rmechanism 8. -A usual -condenser 36 1spreferably-connected across the contacts 31 and 32.4

V`With the switch arm 26 shifted to Bl or battery connection, it will beseen thatthe generator 11 and the transformer winding 4.are brought outof actiwefcircuit.v The arrangement shown is such that the batterycurrent may-be utilized through this same transformer instarting theengine or at such ,tlmes When thev generator 1s running at a speednon-productive ofA eiectiveenergizing -tive of a certain portion o f thealternating current. Said` portion may'be either the A positive or thenegative part, Ithe interrupter .ofhe transformer byA the alternatingcurl ren circuit of the generator winding, to attractl magnetism.Another leg or pole piece 38v of the magnet carries the winding 19 abovedescribed in. connection with Fig. 1. Either pole or leg 37 or 38 singlyis ineffective to attract the armature 33. The arrangement is such thatthe interrupter will respond to interrupt the circuit of lthetransformer winding 5 to currents flowing in one direction only. lt willbe assumed that the leg 37 is of N or north polarity and the leg or pole38 of S or 'south"7 polarity. The winding 19 may be so arranged as tocause an increase in the energizing of the pole 38 when the positiveportion of the current wave traverses the winding 19, so that when itrises to its maximum value it will attract the armature blade 33 foropening of the circuit of the winding 5, for the purposel above setforth,.but when the negative portion of the current Wave traverses saidwinding 19, the pole 37 will be weakcned, so that the armature 33 doesnot attractively respondlfor separation of the contacts 31 and 32, orthe arrangement may be reversed, if desired, so that the negativeportion only of the wave may operate to actuate the interruptermechanism, it being premised that my invention is not limited toutilization of any particular portion of the current wave. lt also willbe apparent that l may use any suitable form of magnet functionallycor-responding to the magnet above described.

Among the advantages of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is thefollowing: 1n Fig. 1 it will be seen that with the employment of agenerator of the high frequency type, a plurality of' pulsations may`traverse the winding 19 of the current responsive interl rupter duringtravel of the controller of timer arm 23 over a segment 24. As a rcsultthe current interrupter mechanism 14, unless otherwise controlled,responds to sep-A arate ,the contacts 31 and 32 at each impulse or riseof the current to maximum value, causing the transformer to deliver asuccession of sparks, at the plug during the engagement of thedistributer arm with the respective plug segment 9. In the presentarrangement of Fig. 2, the selective or polarized. interrupter isresponsive to only the positive pulsations or the negative pulsa-`lswitch arm 26 is shifted to battery position and the roller timerotherwise completes the circuit, as above described in connection withFig. 1, the current from the battery is made to flow through theinterrupter winding 19 in the right direction so that said interrupteris vibratorily responsive to said continuous current.

lnasmuch as the system shown in Fig. 2 in other respects correspondswith the system shown in Fig. 1, further description-of `this secondarrangement is rendered unnecessary, like reference numerals being usedto indicate like parts.

ln Fig. 3 l have shown a system wherein a plurality of transformerunitsare employed and in which each transformer may be energized from thesource of continuous current without bringing the controlling coil orchoke coil (indicated in Figs. 1 and as the coil or winding 5) intocircuit with said source of current. Each transformer 3 is provided withan energizing winding 4 which by means of switch mechanism 10 and theroller timer mechanism 13, may be brought into circuit with thegenerator 11 or with the source of continuous current 12, in the circuitof which last named source is vibrator` mechanism 14a. llach transformeris provided with an auxiliary interrupter mechanism 14b the winding ofwhich is in series with the transformer windingl 4. The secondarywinding G5 of each transformer is suitably grounded and leads to a sparkplug (not shown).

'With the switch arm 26 shifted to either generator or batteryconnection, passage of the synchronously driven roller timer arm 23 intoengagement with a segment 24 of thev timer, completes the circuit of arespective coil or winding 4 of the transformer through ground 12a orl'and ground 2:'. l lnergiz ing of the winding 4 besides setting up astate of flux in the respective transfm'iuer in the manner alreadydescribed. causes energizing of the winding of the. auxiliaryinterrupter or vibrator 14 for opening of the circuit of the winding 5aiulrenergizing of the spark plug connected in circuit of the respectivesecondary winding G', as is understood, energizing of a transformer bythe generator causing the respective interrupter or controller 14h torespond at or. near the peak of the current wave.

When the switch arm 26 is shifted for utilization of the batterycurrent, the vibrator` 14a causes a trembled flow of current through atransformer winding 4 connected in circuit throughV grounds 12a and 25as the roller timer arm 23 engages a segment 24. rlhe interrupter 14a ispreferably lagged slightly behind the vibrators 14b so that the chokecoil circuit of any transformer is opened before the battery circuit isopened by meansof the yinterrupter 14h.

In Fig. 4 I show la system corresponding With that shown in Fig. 3 (andlike parts of 'which accordingly bear like reference numerals) with theexception that the auxiliary vibrator or current responsive interrupter14h is here disclosed as having its electro-magnet forming part ofthetransformer. This is preferably done by extendiiig from the transformercore a leg portion 34b carrying the energizing winding 19 in series withthe winding 4. The arrangement is such that the lux of the transformercore assists the flux set up inj the leg 34 bythe windin 19 so that veryfew ampere turns of win ing 19 are required. Furthermore, it provides acompact, self-con-` tained arrangement. In this system shown in Fig.` 4it also will .be noticed that the choke winding or controlling circuit 5is disposed at opposite ends or sides of the secondary winding 6. Thisbrin the secondar winding into 4a more intimate and there oreyiniuentially receptive inductive relationship to the core of thetransformer and operates to reduce the co per content or bulk of windinof both cho e winding' and secondary vvin ing, resulting in. compactnessand saving in cost of production.

In lieu of extending the transformer core 1n the manner shown'in Fig..4to form` a core 34" for the magnet of the interrupte? mechanism, I maycause therise and fallo the flux in the main core of j thetransfori'nen;v tol actuate the interrupter blade orarmature.

Such an arrangementl is shown Fig. 5 the parts of which correspond withthose of Fig. 4 andbear like reference numerals In vthis system,- thetransformer core carries the armature blade .33*EL in such manner thatit .lies attractively adjacent the end of a le carrying the activewinding 4. It thus wi l be seen that control of the interruptor iseffected solely through the transformer per Se., the extra winding 19shown inthe preceding arrangements dependence in operation esides havings tructuraladvantages" in lcompactness of vform 4and simplicity ofmounting of the interrupter bladeor armature. ,i

The broad features herei described of building up a high state of fluxfrom a source of energy and causing said iux. to

inductively energize a current using instrumentality are not claimedherein as the same are covered bymy above mentioned Letters Patent No.1,081,413. i

The arrangements shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5,. except as hereinaftermay be claimed,

are not claimed herein as the same form subject matter of myapplications SerialNos. 41,427, and 53,196.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent,1s: l -Y cuit 'of the last named coil'and havingelectrically actuable means circuit with' salda v being eliminated."This direct action results in positiveness and .tro-magnetic means incircuit .withl said 1. A source of energy and a circuit therei for, acoil inductively vrelated vto said 'circuit .and a second coilinductively related to the other coil, of current responsive means forintermittently short circuiting said rst coil.-

2. 'A source of energy-and a circuit therefor, a plurality of'collsinductively related' to said circuit, one of said coils having incircuit a spark gap., and current actuated 4. A sourceof energy and acircuit therey f for, a plurality of coils inductively relatedv 1 tosaid circuit and to one another, one of.; said coils having in circuit a*spark` gap, and currentactuated means for intermittently shortcircuiting-,ancther of said coils.

5. A source of energy and a circuittlierefor, a coil inductivelyrelatedto said cir- *v 1' cuit and having in circuit a spark gap, a '9dcoil-for controlling said inductive relationship, and current responsiveapparatus for' intermittently shortcircuiting said control- 'I 'I lingcoil. A

l6'. A source of energy and a circuit therefor, a coil linductivelyrelated to'said cir-- p 'cuit and having in circuit a spark ap,"a coilfor controlling said inductive'reationship, and apparatus .forcontrolling vthe cirx V7. A source of energyl and a-circuitthere for, acoil inductively vrelated ltosaid cir? -10's cuit, a second coil-inductivel related.' to said other coil, and means or intermit-v tentlyshort .circuiting one of' said coils andl I l' I. comprisingelectro-magnetic means4 iiiI circuit with said source. v 8. A source 'ofenergy and a circuit there-- for, a vcoi1i"ind uctively related tosaidcircuit, a 4second coil inductively vrelated'tov A said other coil andhaving in circuit a spark gap, and means for intermittently short cir-"'v111i cuiting said first coil and'comprising elec- 9. A source of energy'and a' Circuit there'- j for, a coil inductively related to saidcircuit, a second coil inductively related to the `other coil, andcurrentlresponsive means for' lshort circuitingone of said coils andoperf "I v atively connected in the first named circuit.

10. A source of energy and a circuit therefor, a coil inductivelyrelated to saidcircuit, a second coil inductively related to saidcircuit and having in circuit a spark gap, and electro-magnetic meansconnected in said first circuit, for short ciruiting said iirst coil. i

n iaaaeae 11. A source of energyfa plurality of l means in circuit withsaid source of energy l and said second named winding.

12. A source ,of energy and a winding connected thereto, a second coilor winding inductively related to said first winding, a third coilinductively related to said second winding, and electromagnetic means inA series with said source, for intermittently short circuiting anotherof said coils or windings.

13. A source of energy and a coil connected thereto, a second coil'inductively related to said coil, a third coil inductively related tosaid second coil, and electro-magnetic means in series with said sourceand one of said' coils, for intermittently short circuiting another ofsaid coils. Y l-l. A. transformer core provided with a plurality ofwindings one of which is for connection with a source of energy andanother of which is connected in circuit with a current usinginstrumentality, and a cur- I having in circuit a spark gap and,.byreason of said core inductively related to said winding., forintermittently short circuitother winding, a third winding forcontrolling said inductive relationship, and a current actuated devicefor intermittently short circuiting said third winding.

16. A ma etizable member provided with a plurality of windings one ofwhich is for connection with a source of energy and another of which isconnected in circuit with a current using instrumentality, and currentresponsive contact mechanism" connected in circuit with said first nameding another of'said windings.

17. A source of' energy and a circuit therefor, a coil inductivelyrelated to said circuit and a second coilinductively related to theother coil, of current responsive means for intermittently shortcircuiting said first coil, and means for also bringing said first coilinto and out of energizing connection with a source of energy.

18. A source of energy and a circuit there for, a plurality of coilsinductively related to said circuit, one of said coils having in circuita spark gap, current actuable means for intermittently short circuitinganother of said coils, a separate source of energy, and means forconnecting said last named coil in circuit with said separate source ofenergy.

19. A source of energy and acircuit therefor, aplurality of coilsinductively related to said circuit;one of said coils having in circuita spark gap, current actuable means for intermittently `short circuitinganother of said coils, a vseparate source of current and meansforconnecting said short circuiting means in circuit with said secondsource of v energy.

20. A source of energy and a circuitthere for,a plurality of windingsinductively related to said circuit, one of said windings having incircuit a current lusing instrumentality, contact mechanism forintermittently short circuiting another of said windings,

and means, including said contact'mechanisrn, for connecting said lastnamed winding in circuit with a separate source'of energy.

21. A source of alternating current and a circuit therefor, a coilinductively related to said circuit, a coil inductively related to saidcoil and having lin circuit a spark gap, a third coil for controllingsaid inductive re- 'laticnship between the other coils, contactmechanism for short circuiting said third coil, a source of continuouscurrent, and means for connecting saidthird coil'in circuitl with saidsource of continuous current. 22. A source of alternating current and acircuit therefor, a coil inductively related to said circuit, a windinginductively related to said coil and having in circuit a spark gap, acircuit for controlling said inductive relationship between saidv firsttwo coils or windings, contact mechanism for short closing said circuit,a source of continuous current, and means for connecting said contactmechanism in said controlling circuit and in circuit with the source ofcontinuous current.

23. A transformer having'a plurality of windings yone of which has incircuit a spark gap, means for connecting another of sai'l windings incircuit with a source of alternating current, means for short circuitinga third of said windings, and means for bringing said third winding intocircuit with a source of continuous current.

24. A transformer having a plurality of windings one of which has incircuit a spark gap, means for connecting another of `said windings incircuit with a source of alternatin current, means for short circuitinga third yof said windings and comprising current responsive contactmechanism, an means :for bringing said third windin'g into circuit withva source of continuous current.

25. A. plurality of inductively related windings one of which hasconnected in cir- -cuit a current using instrumentality, means forconnecting another of said windings in circuit with a source ofalternating current, current responsive interrupter mechanism adapted tobe connected in circuit with said source of alternating current, forintermitlil@ tently short circuiting a third of said Wind-A ings, andmeans forconnecting said current responsive interrupter mechanism incircuit with a source of continuous current to cause it to vibratorilyenergize said third winding. 26. A plurality 4of inductively relatedwindings one of which comprises' essentially a high tension Winding andanother of which is adapted for connection with a source of alternatingcurrent, Vibrator mechanism for 4intermittently short cir-fruiting?,another of said windings and actuable by the alternating current source,and means for bringing said vibrator mechanism out of energizingrelationship with the alternating source and into circuit with a sourceof continuous current for causing a pulsat'ive How of curwmi throughsaid last named winding.

27. A plurality of windings, current responsive contact mechanism havingwinding. adapted for connectlon wlth a sourceof a1- ternating. currentandi responsive to the "/higher values of tension of said alternatingcurrent to interrupt and short circuit one et' said windings, and meansfor connecting the a contacts and the Winding of said contact mechamsm,1n circuit with a source of continuous current.

In testimony ,whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD VARLEY.

